Catch me if you can: are catechol- and indoleamine genes pleiotropic QTLs for common mental disorders?

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a short-term ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel medication on blood flow in the uterine arteries in postmenopausal women in a prospective placebo-controlled double-blind study. Twenty-one healthy postmenopausal woman at least 2 years after menopause received 60 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE) for 14 days followed by 40 micrograms EE plus 125 micrograms levonorgestrel (LNG) for 12 days (total treatment period 26 days). Sonographically, uterine volume, endometrial thickness, and blood flow in the uterine arteries [as reflected by pulsatility (PI) and resistance indices (RI)] were measured. Uterine size increased from 44 to 80 mL (day 14, p < 0.001) and 87 mL (day 26, p = NS). Endometrium grew from 3 to 8 mm (day 14, p < 0.001) and 11 mm (day 26, p = NS). Uterine arterial PI fell from 2.76 to 1.37 (day 14, p < 0.001) and 1.34 (day 26, p = NS), whereas RI fell from 0.9 to 0.68 (day 14 and day 26, p < 0.001). In conclusion, short-term treatment with LNG does not antagonize the vascular effect of EE on the uterine arteries as reflected by PI and RI. This result might have clinical significance in the selection of the progestin used in hormonal replacement therapy.     

Sub-Tenon's anaesthesia: an efficient and safe technique

AIM: To evaluate sub-Tenon's anaesthesia as an alternative to peribulbar anaesthesia. METHODS: 109 consecutive patients listed for various eye operations (including cataract, trabeculectomy, and vitrectomy) under peribulbar anaesthesia were operated on under sub-Tenon's anaesthesia instead. After topical anaesthesia a buttonhole was fashioned through the conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule 10 mm posterior to the limbus. 1.5 ml of lignocaine 2% was then delivered to the posterior sub-Tenon's space using a blunt cannula. The surgical procedure was performed immediately after the completion of the anaesthetic procedure. Chemosis, conjunctival haemorrhage, degree of akinesia, and pain scoring were analysed. RESULTS: There were no anaesthesia related complications. The administration of the block was painless for 99.1% of the patients. In all, 97.3% reported no pain during surgery. There was no akinesia when assessed just after the completion of the block and akinesia was limited when assessed after surgery. Chemosis and conjunctival haemorrhage were frequent but caused no intraoperative problems. CONCLUSION: Sub-Tenon's anaesthesia is an efficient and safe anaesthetic technique. It is a good alternative to peribulbar anaesthesia.     

The impact of cardiology on the collective effective dose in the North of England

Two cardiology X-ray rooms were monitored with dose-area product meters as part of a Regional Patient Dosimetry Programme. Dose-area product measurements on over 2000 patients undergoing examinations in the cardiology rooms are presented. The data have been corrected according to patient size where possible. In room A mean dose-area product values for coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, radiofrequency ablation and mitral valvuloplasty were found to be 47.7, 72.2, 91.1 and 161.9 Gy cm2 respectively. In room B mean dose-area product values for coronary angiography and coronary angioplasty were found to be 23.4 and 51.6 Gy cm2 respectively. Observational studies were used to deduce the typical projections and technique factors. This typical examination was used to simulate an angiogram from which it was possible to derive factors to convert measured dose-area product values into estimates of effective dose. In room A, the effective doses were estimated to be 9.4, 14.2, 17.3 and 29.3 mSv for coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, radiofrequency ablation and mitral valvuloplasty, respectively. The effective doses during coronary angiography and coronary angioplasty, performed in room B, were found to be 4.6 and 10.2 mSv, respectively. A regional survey of the frequency of these cardiac procedures was performed. It was deduced that the annual collective effective dose from these cardiac procedures in the North of England, the former Northern Region, was 45.7 manSv.     

Dependence of mesenchymal cell responses on duration of exposure to bone morphogenetic protein-2 in vitro

Murine Leydig (TM3) and Sertoli (TM4) cell lines were studied as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells using the antigen model of human choriogonadotropin (hCG alpha/beta) and specific T-cell hybridomas. Both cell lines were treated with IFN-gamma to induce I-A(d) and I-E(d) molecules expression. Only the TM3 cell line, which expressed MHC-class II molecules upon IFN-gamma stimulation, was able to uptake, process, and present the human choriogonadotropin beta subunit to related T-cell hybridomas. Interestingly, the TM3 cell line was incapable of presenting the human choriogonadotropin alpha subunit, the presentation of which, by classical APC, is highly efficient. Using T-cell hybridomas directed against the immunogenic regions of hCG alpha/beta previously described in BALB/c mice, we showed that the TM3 cell line generated a narrower peptide repertoire than classical APC (i.e., B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells). This experimental system suggests that Leydig cells could initiate, in vivo, an autoimmune process directed against gonadal tissues. In particular, such a mechanism has been evoked in experimental autoimmune orchitis.     

稀土离子与NaY分子筛的滤饼柱交换过程

研究了稀土离子与NaY分子筛滤饼柱的交换过程。结果表明，与间歇交换相比，采用分子筛滤饼柱进行稀土离子交换，可以在较短时间内得到较高的稀土离子交换度。调整稀土离子和NH4^ 在交换液中的比例，可以在滤饼柱上获得具有一定稀土离子交换度且稀土分布均匀的Y型分子筛产品。交换液温度对稀土与NH4^ 混合交换的稀土交换度影响较大，但可以通过调整稀土离子与NH4^ 在交换液中的比例弥补交换度的差异。用约3倍于分子筛量的去离子水以洗去分子筛上残余的Na^ 、稀土离子和Cl^-。     

Comparison of fixation disparity curve variables measured with the Sheedy Disparometer and the Wesson Fixation Disparity Card

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest differences in the fixation disparity curves obtained with the Sheedy Disparometer and the Wesson Fixation Disparity Card, the two most commonly used methods for measuring fixation disparity. In one study the investigators proposed that the differences do not exist for subgroups divided by phoria. The purpose of this paper is to try to clarify this issue by use of two large sets of data. METHODS: Dissociated phorias were measured by the von Graefe method. Fixation disparity curves were plotted using the Disparometer and the Wesson card. RESULTS: Type I fixation disparity curves were most common with the Wesson card. Type II curves were found more often with the Disparometer than with the Wesson card. The x-intercepts were shifted in the base-in (BI) direction with the Wesson card compared to the Disparometer. The y-intercepts were shifted in the exo direction with the Wesson card compared to the Disparometer. The differences were statistically significant regardless of whether the dissociated phoria was exo or eso. The slope of the fixation disparity curve was steeper with the Wesson card than with the Disparometer. The difference was statistically significant for exophores but not for esophores. The differences between results obtained with the two instruments are not consistent from one subject to another as shown by high standard deviations of the differences. CONCLUSIONS: The fixation disparity curves measured with these two instruments are different. Fixation disparity parameters obtained from one of these instruments cannot be used with normative findings from the other.